Mizoram: I don’t see much difference between football and politics, says footballer-turned-MLA Jeje Lalpekhlua
First Published: 5th December, 2023 17:32 IST
The Indian football star won the election from the South Tuipui constituency
From being a sharp striker in the football field to becoming an MLA, Mizoram’s Jeje Lalpekhlua has never looked back and has overcomed all obstacles to give his best shot, just like he does while playing against his opponents in the game.
Jeje Lalpekhlua, has so far earned a name for himself in Indian football, by becoming the second-highest Indian goalscorer in the history of the Indian Super League.
Awarded the AIFF Men’s Player of the Year Award, Jeje Lalpekhlua is also the higest scores for the celebrated Chennaiyin FC in the ISL.
However, this football player has now set his foot in the realm of politics by scoring the desired goal.
In the Mizoram Assembly election results announced yesterday, Jeje won from the South Tuipui constituency by defeating R. Lalthangliana, a top MNF leader and the Minister of Higher and Technical Education in the Zoramthanga cabinet.
Jeje Lalpekhlua, when asked about his feelings on the transition from football to politics said, “I do not see much difference between football and politics. In football we are playing lots of politics and we are fighting for each and every game for the first 11. When I play the game, I try to score goals and there are 11-defenders. Even then I try to score a goal, I think this is the same in politics. This election, I fought with 3 candidates, they are very very good and they are doing really well for the community. So it is really tough but with the help of God we won the election. Like I said, I thank God for all the blessings.”
Jeje, as he is popularly known, revealed that he has lots of plans for his very own South Tuipui constituency.
He said, “Right now we have lots of plans. I will sit with all the members and the officials to decide on the plans. We have many plans.
Especially the people of South Tuipui constituency, I would like to thank all the people who voted for me in the election. My childhood and career started from this constituency, so I will give everything for the constituency. I really love South Tuipui so whenever they will have a problem, I will be there. Thank you people of South Tuipui who voted for me in this election.”
In the assembly election, though it was a close contest in South Tuipui, Jeje had the last laugh for the ZPM and secured 5468 votes, which is 135 more than his nearest rival MNF’s R. Lalthangliana who polled 5333 votes.
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